Sample Practice Plan from Coach Calande     Example of a 2 HOUR PRACTICE PLAN (OFFENSE DAYS- 2 per week min) * two coaches* Goal- perfect execution, sound fundamentals, complete understanding of assignments and concepts. Develop confidence in the double wing offense. Instructions- plan practice in 5 minute periods. You can work on any skill or play for more than one period. Here is a sample plan, do not hesitate to modify it to fit your teams needs. period------skills/drills-----------------------comments   1- Roll call/Warmups- Take roll, kids are in squads with squad leader (captain) in front facing squad mates. Squad leaders report missing or late members to coach. Suggest military precision in spacing, helmets off set to ground to captains left and each players right. face masks forward. Look like a team. Warm up/ stretching routine. Keep this brief.(kids are flexible) 2-12 .- Oline Equipment needs, water bottles, cones, bags, shields. white board. Offensive line separates from backs. Work on pulling and pancake, pull and trap, shoulder blocking skills, king of boards, sled (one period), x blocking, double teaming, fronts and stunts, bird dogs, fit and freeze, eyes inside drills, cut blocking, any line calls (domino, dynamite), defeating froggers, combo blocks, chalk talk. call plays, rep schemes. Center should get work on making calls, cutting playside, snap and step. additionally, qb and center(backups too) should meet before practice to get in 50 snaps. Tight ends can spend pulling period working on pass routes. *water bottles available at any time.* 2-12 - Backfield - Equipment needs, water bottles, cones, shields. white board. Offensive backs work on backfield schematics, footwork, timing, motion, ball security, tough running, stiff arm, spin move, extra yard, pass patterns ( 2 periods max), blocking assignments and techniques, qb footwork, fb kickout blocks, reach blocks by wings, down blocks and double teams by wings (can work with oline for that period), many many reps with focus on execution and carrying out every fake. chalk talk as needed. *water bottles available at any time* 13-End of first hour, water break, coaching report (1 period max) 14-16- Slow motion reps - Equipment needs, water bottles, cones, shields. white board. during these 3 periods its recommended that the backs and oline come together to slow motion walk thru the various plays against several fronts(bags and shields or cones). This gives the backs and linemen an opportunity to learn how the plays develop and unfold against fronts. backs learn to run inside kickouts and appreciate their linemen. Great opportunity for coaches to work on hat placement, fit and freeze, rewind and correct and perfect every play. Meshing timing is important to prevent collisions and impatience by backs. 17-19 - Full speed versus bag and shield holders- Equipment needs, water bottles, shields. white board. video camera recommended. during these 3 periods, full speed reps are performed with no tackling but live blocking on the bags and shields. Defenders should be encouraged to attack but not swing bags or dodge blockers with bags. “give us a look!” Good time to add blitzes to test linemen on eyes inside. Additional work on fit and freeze whenever needed. 20-22- Live “thud’ practice period - Equipment needs, water bottles, video camera recommended. white board.  Pinnies or skull caps. “Thud” is live blocking but only hit and wrap tackling. Backs are not taken to the ground to save time wasted un-piling and to reduce injury. No bags or shields. It is not recommended that teams practice live until 5 plays are mastered. Build confidence, dont destroy it! 23-24- Pride period - Conditioning can be sprints on defensive days but on offensive days I suggest running nothing but the powers from the 3 yard line as if scoring 2 point conversions. Live. 25- End of practice- final word (brief) and team cheer. “CHAMPIONS!!!”- qbs put away cones, balls, oline puts bags shields in shed, backs clean up trash, water bottles.

Using a Wrist Coach to Help Linemen with Rule Blocking WRIST COACH SUGGESTION FOR RULE BLOCKING some of you are missing kids due to vacation, baseball or whatever... if you are near panic over teaching rules or whatever due to falling behind IN YOUR TEACHING due to low numbers...consider putting a wrist coach on your linemen with the hole number and blocking rule right there...ie, my left guards wrist coach might look like this for my first scrimmage... 1 hole trap= gdb 3 hole trap=good 5 hole power or counter= god 7 hole power= god 9 hole sweep= pull, lead, look inside 0 hole trap= right shoulder kickout 2 hole trap= right shoulder kickout 4 hole power= pull, lead look for bs 4 hole counter= pull, kickout 6 hole power= pull lead look for bs 8 hole sweep= pull lead look inside brown pass protection- hinge black pass protection- run block 18 boot pass= pull get depth look inside 19 boot pass= pull, get depth log/hook de

COACH CALANDE'S G.O.O.D. - G.O.D. CHEAT SHEET I had suggested to some of my GOOD/GOD coaches that they make "cheat sheets" for their assistant coaches : I took the time to make this up, feel free to use it for your practices. COACHES CHEAT SHEET RAY 34 POWER c- moma lg- pull - lead for bs lt- pull- lead seal inside lte- shoeshing b to c rg- god rt- good rte- gdb *eyes inside lw- motion on “ready” downhill run. fb- banana rt shoulder kickout on de qb- full pivot, kickout corner rw- seal lber LEE 25 POWER c- moma lg- god lt- good lte- gdb rg- pull- lead for bs rt- pull- lead seal inside rte- shoeshine b to c lw- seal lber fb- banana left shoulder kickout on de qb- full pivot, kickout corrner rw- deep motion, downhill run. RAY 25 COUNTER c- moma lg- god lt- good lte- gdb rg- pull kickout de rt- pull, lead, look inside rte- shoeshine b to c lw- motion great fake fb- jab backside, lead to corner. qb- full pivot, inside handoff, block backside. rw- drop step, inside handoff, downhill run. LEE 34 COUNTER c- moma lg- pull, kickout de lt- pull, lead look inside lte- shoeshine b to c rg- god rt- good rte- gdb lw- drop step , inside handoff, down hill run. fb- jab backside, lead to corner qb- full pivot, inside handoff, block backside. rw- motion, great fake. RAY 325 COUNTER CRISS CROSS c- moma lg- god lt- good lte- gdb rg- pull- lead for bs rt- pull- lead seal inside rte- shoeshine b to c lw- motion, catch toss, inside handoff, carry out fake fb- jab backside, lead to corner qb- toss, kickout 1/2 de rw- drop step, take inside handoff run downhill LEE 234 COUNTER CRISS CROSS c- moma lg- pull, kickout de lt- pull, lead look inside lte- shoeshine b to c rg- god rt- good rte- gdb lw- drop step, take inside handoff run downhill fb- jab backside, lead to corner qb- toss, kickout 1/2 defensive end rw- motion, catch toss, inside handoff, carry out fake RAY 35 COUNTER CUTBACK c- moma lg- god lt- good lte- gdb rg- pull- lead for bs rt- pull- lead seal inside rte- shoeshine b to c lw- motion, catch toss, plant an d cut back run downhill. fb- jab backside, lead to corner qb- toss kickout 1/2 defensive end rw- sprint to lead to safety LEE 24 COUNTER CUTBACK c- moma lg- pull, kickout de lt- pull, lead look inside lte- shoeshine b to c rg- god rt- good rte- gdb lw- sprint to lead to safety fb- jab backside lead to corner qb- toss kickout 1/2 de rw- motion, catch toss, plant and cutback, run downhill. RAY 36 POWER c- moma lg- pull, lead for bs lt- pull, look inside lte- shoeshine b to c rg- god rt- god rte- good lw- motion , catch toss, down hill run fb- banana, right shoulder kickout on de qb- full pivot, toss, inside out on corner rw- gdb LEE 27 POWER c- moma lg- god lt- god lte- good rg- pull lead for bs rt- pull, lead, look inside rte- cut b to c lw- gdb fb- banana left shoulder kickout on de qb- full pivot, toss, inside out on corner rw- deep motion, catch toss, run downhill RAY 40 QUICK TRAP c- moma lg- pull kickout lt- lead, first ugly lte- cut b to c rg- gdb rt- fbi rte- fbi rw- bs lw- motion, great fake, pitch relationship downfield qb- no look handoff, carry out off tackle fake fb- left step, sit, plant and go. LEE 41 QUICK TRAP c- moma lg- gdb lt- fbi lte- fbi lw- bs rg- pull kickout rt- lead first ugly rte- cut b to c fb- step right, sit plant and go rw- motion, great fake, pitch relationship downfield qb- no look handoff, carry out off tackle fake RAY 42 QUICK TRAP c- moma lg- pull kickout lt- lead, first ugly lte- cut b to c rg- good rt- gdb rte- fbi rw- bs lw- motion, great fake, pitch relationship downfield qb- no look handoff, carry out off tackle fake fb- left step, sit, plant and go. LEE 43 QUICK TRAP c- moma lg- good lt- gdb lte- fbi lw- bs rg- pull kickout rt- lead first ugly rte- cut b to c fb- step right, sit plant and go rw- motion, great fake, pitch relationship downfield qb- no look handoff, carry out off tackle fake RAY 43 COUNTER TRAP c- moma lg- good lt- gdb lte- fbi lw- motion, fake catching toss, fake inside handoff, carry out fake. rg- pull kickout rt- lead first ugly rte- cut b to c fb- jab backside, plant, inside handoff and follow tackle rw- drop step, fake xx, sprint relationship downfield qb- step behind playside guard, inside handoff, block backside. LEE 42 COUNTER TRAP c- moma lg- pull kickout lt- lead first ugly lte- cut b to c rg- good rt- gdb rte- fbi lw- drop step, fake getting inside handoff for xx sprint relationship downfield fb- jab backside, plant, inside handoff and follow tackle qb- step behind playside guard, inside give, block backside rw- motion fake, inside handoff, carry out fake RAY 32 BLAST c- moma lg- pull , lead for bs lt- pull, look inside (optional) lte- cut b to c rg- bob rt- bob tre- bob the de lw- deep motion catch toss, run downhill fb- jab to playside, blast lber qb- toss, lead thru, look outside for 2nd level ko. rw- sprint thru b gap , first ugly LEE 23 BLAST c- moma lg- bob lt- bog lte- bob de rg- pull, lead for bs rt- pull, look inside (optional) rte- cut b to c lw- sprint thru b gap, first ugly fb- jab playside, blast lber qb- toss., lead and kickout second level rw- deep motion, catch toss, run downhill. RAY 38 SWEEP c- moma lg- pull for backer lt- cut b to c lte- pizza block rg- pull for backer rt- block #1 playside lineman rte- block #2 playside lineman lw- deep motion, catch toss, read fbs block fb- kickout/log corner qb- toss, gain depth, lead thru alley for safety rw- hook de(olber in 40) LEE 29 SWEEP c- moma lg- pull for backer lt- block #1 playside lineman lte- block #2 playside lineman rg- pull for backer rt- cut b to c rte- pizza block lw- hook de (olber in 40) fb- kickout/log corner qb- toss, gain depth, lead thru alley for safety rw- deep motion, catch toss, read fbs block

The Essential "46 Gambler Bermuda Triangle Drill" THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE AND ITS COUSIN THE DIAMOND DRILL : Purpose- These drill introduce and reinforce the essential elements of team defense including pursuit and the concept of trapping the ball.  Offensive Objectives- *though this is a defensive drill, there is plenty to teach the offensive players.  The offensive lead blocker will learn "kickout" and "log" blocking The ball carrier will learn hard running in traffic and gain ability to read blockers and defensive flow. The center will learn the reach block on the nose. The ball carrier will learn to protect the football despite stripping attempts by defenders The ball carrier and blocker will learn the concept of "counter" and "cutback" runs. Defensive Objectives -* the drill is designed specficially by me for my 46 Gambler coaches Defenders will learn and apply the concept of "outside arm free" Defenders will learn and apply concept of "attack" and pursuit Defenders will learn to trust team mates and maintain the integrity of the defensive design. Defenders will tackle with head across to "bite the ball" Defenders will learn to keep shoulders square and hips open to the outside on contact Defenders will learn to gang tackle and strip the ball seeking to score on defense The nose guard will learn to "hit and hunt" and "cross face" to get playside arm free. the Linebackers will learn and apply knowledge of their relationship to the nose guard The linebackers will understand "force" and "cutback" responsibility The free backer will gain ability to read both flow and the block on the nose The free backer will shuffle to flow and attack filling the window and strip the ball. EQUIPMENT NEEDS * water bottles so thirsty athletes can drink! One football. 3 markers,( can be pinnies, cones or other.) If you are not wearing full pads you can do this with the lead blocker carrying a blocking schield and the drill done at half speed. Coach should have a whistle to stop play. Proceedure : using the 3 markers make a triangle with the apex 8-10 yards from the base. The base of the triangle should be 8 yards wide as well. *you can adjust this, we usually dont measure it* THE DRILL : the blocker and runner and center, from the apex,  will communicate to decide to attack either of the cones at the base. Each of the base cones are guarded by a linebacker. The linebackers are instructed to align approx 1/3 of the way from their base cone. why? ah, this is the first phase in their training to be monsters in the middle of the 46 Gambler. The 46 is designed to keep the linebackers unblocked and flowing freely so that the backside backer can be the cutback player or "hit man" on all plays away. We appropriately name the trio of our Mike, Will and Fred "THE HIT SQUAD". These players must live up to the nickname.   the BERMUDA TRIANGLE SHOULD LOOK LIKE THIS... ----------------------------------------------T(ball carrier) ----------------------------------------------F(you might choose to add a second) ----------------------------------------------C(hook nose away from play) -----------------------------------------------x ----------------------------------------------N(cross face to playside) --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------x----------M-------------------------W------------x(mike and will read and attack) -----------------------------------------------------F(fill window- force fumble)   *he drill starts on the centers movement. he will attempt to step to playside and reach/hook the nose away from the play. The nose must obviously try to knock him back while fighting to playside. The idea is to strip the runner of his lead block by forcing a quick cutback to the backside backer.  The tighter a play hits to the nose, the more the backside backer must respect his backside A gap role on flow away. * Each of the linebackers is trained to read and react according to the near backs foot. Later they will be introduced to "reading thru the line" to their back key, but thats another drill. *Each backer steps in the direction of the fullback, if he comes to you, you go to him and blow his ass up by running your shoulder and flipper thru his outside number.  The  backer must strive to keep his outside arm free to make the tackle and to force the cutback. Many kids will at first try to dodge the blocker and get kicked out our sealed in easily. we start this drill with walk thrus not live full contact. teach HOW AND WHY before going live just as you would your offensive plays. now, upon contact, ideally the linebacker has his numbers square, inside leg up, outside leg back. this keeps hip open should the runner spill outside. We want to give the runner only one way to go, inside to our hit squad. The runners must try to cross directly over a marker. *If the lead back goes away then that linebacker must step with the lead back and be aware of his backside A gap responsibility then attack taking away runners cutback lane. Shoulders should stay square and he too must seek to trap the ball at the line of scrimmage. We constantly tell our kids that the longest runs in football break back behind the backside backer. Over pursuit is a bad thing. Attacking the runners near hip is important on cutback.  When we tackle we do place head across the bow and BITE THE BALL seeking to force a fumble. If the runner is stacked up even momentarily the free backer will decleat him completely. The free backer is told to "slobberknocker" the ball carrier. *This drill is not designed for 4 studs to take on 4 duds. Be aware that this is a physical drill but you have the responsibility to match up your athletes wisely. Remember, remind the athletes to "see what you hit" and use a quick whistle. You will get more teaching time with slow motion and half speed stuff, but eventually you need to separate the men from the boys. The kids will beg for this drill. Its a good idea, after teaching linebackers their 46 Gambler reads and reactions that you vary the backfield to include split backs, wishbone, stack I, power I. This is not a level I training drill. You must progress to this. For more drills, you will want to consider my 46 Gambler manual and dvd set. - Coach Calande

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 ©2008 Steve Calande All rights reserved.